{"id":2,"date":"2025-02-18T21:06:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T21:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ascjcapstone.com\/spring-2025\/nosuna\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-05-13T20:03:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:03:51","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ascjcapstone.com\/spring-2025\/nosuna\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gabriela Gutierrez, a dual-language teacher at Sheridan St. Elementary, watches her students present on what being bilingual means to them. (Annenberg Media\/Natalia Osuna)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The school bell rings, indicating that it is 2:30 p.m., or the end of the day. Students excitedly gather their belongings and prepare to head home after hours of learning. The classroom is filled with chit-chat as small groups of sixth-graders shuffle out into the hallway. With a big smile on her face, their teacher waves goodbye to her students for the afternoon in both English and Spanish, ready to do it all over again the next day. Gabriela Gutierrez, an LAUSD dual language-certified teacher in Boyle Heights, works tirelessly to give back to new generations in the community that raised her. 

\u201cI went into this profession because I grew up in this community,\u201d Gutierrez said. \u201cI feel grounded and I feel that I have to advocate for my community.\u201d                  

For Gutierrez, ingraining the significance of being bilingual in her students is equal to giving them a superpower.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing bilingual is a privilege. It is the way that they can connect with their family, community and culture. And it is their right,\u201d Gutierrez said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two years ago, Gutierrez went back to school at Cal State LA to obtain her dual language teacher certification. Now, her English and Spanish classroom is home to Sheridan St. Elementary\u2019s sixth-grade class, the school\u2019s inaugural bilingual class. Gutierrez emphasized that she wants her students to not only be bilingual but also biliterate. Furthermore, she encourages her students to understand the historical, cultural and social factors that come with being bilingual and bicultural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe dual language program is based on three pillars: Bilingualism and biliteracy, high academic achievement, and social and cultural competence.”   <\/p>– Gabriela Gutierrez<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Meet Gabriela Gutierrez and step into her classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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